Roccat has managed to carve a niche for itself in the gaming keyboard landscape, thanks to a blend of aesthetic appeal, tactile satisfaction, and a commitment to quality. The brand-new Vulcan II encapsulates these virtues, and while it may not possess the visual extravagance of its higher-priced sibling, the Vulcan II Max, it serves as a more budget-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise on crucial features.
Initial Impressions of Roccat’s Vulcan II
The Vulcan II’s immediate impression can be summed up in two words: elegantly functional. Donning an aesthetic akin to its predecessor, the Vulcan II Max, the keyboard possesses a beautifully lit design, smooth mechanical switches, dedicated media keys, and built-in secondary functions. However, unlike its higher-priced sibling, this model opts for a more restrained lighting scheme, a less appealing wrist rest, and a non-detachable USB cable.
Despite these trade-offs, it’s evident Roccat has made a conscious effort to deliver the brand’s signature quality and style at a significantly lower price point. It’s worth noting that the Vulcan II is retailing at $149.99, a significant reduction from the Vulcan II Max’s standard price of $229.99.
Design and Construction of the Vulcan II
The Vulcan II is a wired, full-size keyboard featuring Roccat’s new Titan II Red linear mechanical switches. Its lightweight plastic chassis and durable aluminum top plate with a brushed metal finish lend the keyboard a premium feel that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Weighing a mere 2.09 pounds (949g), the Vulcan II is easy to maneuver while maintaining robust stability. Available in both black and white colorways, the keyboard offers dedicated media keys and additional features such as numlock, “Easy-Shift,” and Game Mode indicator lights. These elements, coupled with the Vulcan II’s braided 6-foot (1.8m) fixed USB-A cable, highlight Roccat’s commitment to delivering a user-friendly, high-quality gaming accessory.
The included wrist rest, despite being a hard plastic construction, provides ample support during lengthy gaming or typing sessions. It’s not plush, but it gets the job done by maintaining comfortable alignment between your wrists and hands.
Typing and Gaming Experience on the Vulcan II
The Vulcan II’s real charm lies within its Titan II mechanical red switches. These switches offer a linear, smooth keypress without any tactile bump or audible click. The keyboard’s ABS keycaps are thin, shallow, and mildly dished, allowing the per-key RGB lighting to shine through brilliantly. While they may not be the most ideal for typing, these keycaps make gaming a breeze with their smooth, speedy linear switches.
The Titan II mechanical red switches present a balanced actuation force, distance, and travel, providing a smooth keypress without any distracting tactile bump or audible click. Despite the shared weight with the Titan II optical red switches, these mechanical switches feel slightly weightier, delivering a more satisfying sound.
The gaming experience on the Vulcan II is enjoyable, thanks to its swift linear switches and, to some extent, its slick keycaps. The keys’ light actuation weight facilitates quick and consistent presses without causing fatigue.
In terms of typing experience, the Vulcan II’s switches feel incredibly smooth and make typing a pleasure. While the ABS keycaps might feel a bit slippery for some, they serve to highlight the keyboard’s impressive per-key RGB lighting.
Features and Software of the Vulcan II
The Vulcan II is compatible with Roccat’s universal peripheral software, Swarm, which allows for advanced customization, including keybindings and per-key RGB lighting adjustments. With onboard storage for up to five profiles, gamers can create personalized settings for different games or users.
The lighting effects on the Vulcan II are vibrant and varied, offering a dazzling display of color options. Although the keyboard doesn’t quite match the dual-LED switches and bottom light spill of the Vulcan II Max, its display is still eye-catching and adds a pleasant aesthetic touch.
What it Do
The Roccat Vulcan II is an impressive keyboard, delivering a strong performance in many respects. One of its strengths is undoubtedly its unique Roccat Titan II mechanical switches, providing a smooth and responsive typing and gaming experience. The build quality is robust, while the stylish black aesthetic is appealing. Furthermore, it offers dedicated media controls and impressive per-key RGB lighting. Roccat’s Swarm software is also worth mentioning, giving users extensive key remapping and customization options.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the Vulcan II is not without its shortcomings. The wrist rest, although serviceable, isn’t as luxurious as some might expect from a keyboard in this price range. Additionally, while the customization options provided by Roccat’s Swarm software are extensive, the learning curve may deter some users.
The Roccat Vulcan II demonstrates a strong balance between style, comfort, and performance. Despite some minor drawbacks, it continues to be a compelling choice for gamers and typists in search of a reliable, high-quality keyboard. With its competitive price point, it offers substantial value for a mid-range keyboard.
